Thursday, January 22

Daily WHUFC News - II 22nd January 2009

Hines eager to shine
WHUFC.com
West Ham United's young striker is back from injury and out to impress
manager Gianfranco Zola
22.01.2009

West Ham United striker Zavon Hines is fit and ready to show manager
Gianfranco Zola exactly what he can do.

The young forward, who plundered six goals in pre-season and opened his
senior account in the 4-1 Carling Cup second round win over Macclesfield
Town in August, returned to action in the reserves this week after four
months out with a knee injury. After looking sharp in the 2-0 Barclays
Premier Reserve League South defeat by Fulham on Tuesday evening, the
20-year-old is eager to make up for lost time.

Having seen fellow Academy graduates Freddie Sears and Jack Collison force
their way into the manager's thoughts this season, Hines wants to follow in
their footsteps and make his name on the Premier League stage.

"Seeing Freddie and Jack out there playing and scoring [has inspired me]. I
want to be at West Ham for as long as I can and the only way I can do that
is by playing and scoring and trying to catch the manager's eye. Now I've
got to show what I've got."

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On This Day: 22 January
WHUFC.com
A thrilling FA Cup draw with Third Division Oldham Athletic is today's
classic bygone match
22.01.2009

Classic Match

Oldham Athletic 2-2 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
22 January 1966

Six months before shooting England to World Cup glory, Geoff Hurst was on
the scoresheet as West Ham United fought out a memorable 2-2 draw with
Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park. Facing opponents who were bouncing along
near the bottom of the Third Division table, Ron Greenwood's side were on a
run of five First Division matches without a win when they headed for
Oldham.

Full-back Jack Burkett appeared to have settled the visitors' nerves when he
put West Ham ahead after just ten minutes with a freak goal. The
Edmonton-born defender thrashed at a clearance that sailed a full 80 yards
before bouncing over Oldham goalkeeper Johnny Bollands. Four minutes later,
opposite number Jim Standen kept the Hammers' lead intact when he saved
Albert Quixall's penalty.

Alan Bloor did level matters on 36 minutes, however, and Oldham managed to
hold Greenwood's men until 20 minutes from time, when Hurst put United back
in front. However, Oldham kept their own FA Cup dreams alive when Quixall
made it 2-2 on 76 minutes to force a replay. Two days later, Jimmy
Pennington put the Latics ahead at the Boleyn Ground but, watched by a
season-high crowd of 35,330, West Ham hit back through Hurst and Peter
Brabrook to go through.

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Zola ready for Hartlepool
WHUFC.com
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola and his players will not be taking
Hartlepool United lightly
22.01.2009

Confidence in Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United squad is high going into
Saturday's FA Cup fourth round trip to Hartlepool United.

The Hammers head to Victoria Park unbeaten away from home since 29 October
and on a run of five matches without defeat in all competitions. As a
result, Zola said his players will travel to County Durham eager to progress
through to the last 16 on Saturday. However, the manager insisted West Ham
United will not treat their League One opponents lightly.

"The team were playing well when we were losing but something wasn't
clicking. The confidence and self belief were still there and now we've got
four or five results on the spin and this has given the players even more
confidence in their potential and everything is going in the right way. It's
down to the work that they do every single day in training and down to the
fact they're quality players and using those qualities in the right way."

Hartlepool themselves will also be confident of securing victory in what
will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, having knocked out
Premier League Stoke City in the third round and beaten Northampton Town in
their last League One fixture. Zola knows his players will face a
determined, talented Hartlepool side this weekend.

"They are a good team and try to play football. They have some very
interesting players, some quick players and play quite differently from
being a League One side. They try to play football and are a good team. We
respect them. It will be a hard game but for us the cup is an important
achievement so we want to get through this round."

While some managers may choose to field weakened sides in their respective
FA Cup ties, the West Ham United boss has revealed that he plans to field a
strong line-up this weekend. Having won the competition twice as a player -
in 1997 and 2000 - Zola knows exactly how it feels to lift the famous trophy
and wants to give his players the best possible chance to do likewise.

"I do respect them [Hartlepool] and I know they're a decent side and we
won't put out a weakened team for sure. If they beat us then it's because
they played much better than us. We won't under-estimate them, that's for
sure. I've never played there but I know it's a good pitch."

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Quashie set for Wolves loan move

Wolverhampton Wanderers look set for a second loan capture from West Ham
United inside a week by signing experienced midfielder Nigel Quashie.
Following young winger Kyel Reid's arrival, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has
again targeted Upton Park for his second move of the January window.
Quashie, 30, has just returned to West Ham following a two-month loan stay
at Wolves' local rivals Birmingham City. The Scotland international is set
to sign on loan until May. London-born Quashie, who started his professional
career with Queens Park Rangers, has made just eight starts in two years at
West Ham. The majority of that time has seen sidelined with a persistent
foot injury. But he still has another 18 months left on his Hammers
contract, having signed a three-and-a-half year deal when he signed
following an unhappy 12 months with Wolves' neighbours West Bromwich Albion
in January 2007. And, although he has been dogged by the unfortunate
statistic of having been relegated from the Premier League with four
separate clubs (QPR, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and West Brom), he does
one have significant promotion on his CV. He played a key role in the
Portsmouth side that went up to the Premiership as Division One champions
under Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith in 2003 - the same season Wolves last won
promotion, via the play-offs. And he will hope to have the same impact on
McCarthy's Championship leaders, who currently stand five points clear.

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Hartlepool v West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Preview Percy

Cup time again and we visit the North East for the second time in three
weeks for the fourth round tie against Hartlepool United.

Since election to what used to be the old Third Division (North) in the
1920s, the Monkey Hangers have never been out of the third and fourth levels
of professional football. We've never played at those levels and, since
we've managed to avoid one another in the cups over the years, Saturday's
match marks the first meeting of the two clubs.

Over the years, even the most die-hard Hartlepool supporter would struggle
to describe the club's history as "distinguished". Back in the old days when
the bottom four clubs in the bottom tier sought re-election to the league
(as opposed to facing automatic relegation), the first few weeks of the
close-season were often a nervous time for supporters of Hartlepools (as
they were then known). However, though it appeared that the club were always
up for re-election, there were usually worse clubs in the mix each year,
even before the League chairmen's legendary closed-shop mentality was taken
into consideration (between 1960 and 1987 when automatic
promotion/relegation was introduced only two clubs failed to be re-elected).


Since those days the club has flittered between the bottom two tiers and
came within 8 minutes of gaining promotion to the Championship for the first
time in Cardiff when, the day before our own promotion on the same ground,
they were 2-1 up against Sheffield Wednesday, only for a controversial
penalty and red card to save the Owls, who went on to score twice more
against the 10-men in extra time.

Perhaps the club's biggest claim to fame over the years (other than the
support of Sky's Jeff Stelling – whom God preserve) is that it was the first
managerial home of Brian Clough who got a couple of respectable seasons out
of the team before going onto greater fame at Derby and, later, Nottingham
Forest.

The advent of a brand new name on the fixture list has seen the welcome
arrival of a few new North Eastern names on the KUMB.com forums to whom I am
much indebted for information regarding the current Hartlepool squad – hats
off in particular to Mr Creosote for much of what follows:

At the time of writing Hartlepool lie in 12th place in what us old'uns call
Division 3. They are safe enough – 9 points clear of the O's who currently
occupy the uppermost relegation spot but are well off the play-off pace,
lying some 14 points behind Scunthorpe who are in 6th. Recent form has been
mixed with their last six matches providing three wins and three defeats.
The wins have come at home to Southend, in the cup against Stoke and, most
recently, last Friday where they overcame Northampton. The defeats came
against play off contenders Oldham and Scunthorpe and, perhaps more
surprisingly, at home to Bottom of the table Crewe to whom they suffered a
4-1 defeat. Of course, from the list of standard things that it is illegal
not to mention in a cup match preview, I am obliged to point out that, this
being the cup, the form book goes out of the window (though my neighbours
are still not talking to me after being hit by so many Percy-launched form
books in 2006).

The home side will be under the stewardship of Chris Turner who appears to
be there on a sort of interim/caretaker/temporary basis until someone can be
persuaded to take over properly. First choice 'keeper is Adam Lee-Barratt
who older readers may remember having a hit in the 70's with "In A Broken
Dream". The home support aren't over-enamoured of their custodians – Mr
Creosote refers to Lee-Barratt and his Danish rival for the jersey Jan Budtz
(stop sniggering at the back there) as a "choice between Krusty The Clown
and Coco The Clown"- though he doesn't actually specify which is which. This
worries me slightly - I still shudder at the thought of the aforementioned
Mr Clough's description of Polish no.1 Jan Tomaszewski in similar terms
shortly before the shot stopper had the night of his life in the Polish side
that drew 1-1 with England in 1973 to stop us qualifying for the following
year's World Cup.

In front of whichever member of Chipperfields Circus (their description not
mine!) is between the sticks, the back four lines up with Sweeney on the
right, long-serving Humphreys on the left with Collins and Nelson in the
middle. Mr C describes the middle pairing as good in the air, not very quick
and possessing an inability to "pass wind" which must be a bit uncomfortable
for them. McCunnie has been known to fill in on the right apparently and he
made an appearance from the bench against Northampton last week.

The midfield, in their preferred 4-4-2 formation, is usually comprised of
former Man Utd youngster Ritchie Jones, on the right, Ben Clark and former
Mackem Gary Liddle in the middle (ho ho) and Matty Robson out on the left.
Robson may be a particular threat according to our friend in the North –
having pace described as "unstoppable" and "a great shot". His crosses do
apparently have a habit of leaving the ground though.

Up front will be top scorer Joel Porter, an import from down-under whose
early days at Victoria Park were blighted by knee problems. He seems to be
something of a favourite up there, and his 15 goals this season in 30 league
and cup matches will have had something to do with that. First name on the
list to partner Porter (ho ho again) would have been James Brown whose goals
get Mr Stelling singing and dancing on Saturday afternoons. Unfortunately
for the home side a knee injury picked up in November has brought a
premature end to the Godfather Of Soul's season. The second striker spot is
therefore likely to be contested between Michael Mackay and David Foley who,
in the words of Mr Creosote are "not very good" and Liam Henderson, who has
recently arrived on a 3 month loan deal from Watford.

As for us, well last week's prediction that we might remain unchanged was
written before a certain ungrateful Welsh idiot threw a hissy fit and
stormed off to add us to the ever increasing number of clubs that he's
fallen out with. Still if the papers are to be believed we may have nearly
doubled our money on an admittedly talented player – dodgy groin and all and
I'd dearly lve to believe that the Fonz will be given all the cash to spend.
One thing is for sure we do need that sort of player alongside Cole (or
Ashton if he ever returns) and it is to be hoped that the names we're being
linked with have Bellamy style pace. In the last round GZ took the
opportunity to give outings to a few squad players and we may see the likes
of Tomkins, Boa-Morte and Spector at some stage, and possibly another few
minutes for Dyer if the game permits.

Predictions? Well for all Mr Creosote's self-deprecation regarding the
Hartlepool squad, this is The Cup which, as page two of the things it's
illegal not to mention list tells us, is a "great leveller". Small ground,
bumper (for them) crowd and the continued high from the dispatch of Stoke in
the last round all mean that this is a potential banana-skin (that's on page
3) of the highest order. Our traditional vulnerability against sides from
lower divisions means that there isn't a Hammer about who won't heave a sigh
of relief should we safely 'negotiate this hurdle' (page 4). We should be
too strong but it is with a nervous twitch that I'll go for a 3-1 to us.

Enjoy the match!

Danger man: Joel Porter – warmed up with a brace against Northampton last
weekend. Though the cup "always throws up unlikely heroes" (page 5).

Look out for: Mr Creosote – who deserves a beer as, without him, I've had
had to do some more research. Just don't offer him a 'waffer thin' mint!

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Osvaldo: I rejected West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer

New Bologna signing Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has claimed he rejected the chance
to move to West Ham United. The 23-year-old former Fiorentina striker was
hevaily linked with a move to London earlier this week following the
departure of Craig Bellamy but instead completed a move to Serie A
strugglers Bologna yesterday. And in a statement confirming his switch
Osvaldo claimed that he opted for a move to the Rossoblù over West Ham -
despite having been offered the chance to move to England. My options were
West Ham or Bologna," he told the Italian club's website. "Both were
interesting, but I chose Bologna. "I know that the club and the fans expect
a lot from me. I want to show my worth and score a lot to lend the team a
hand. Bologna is a great opportunity for me."
Gianfranco Zola had been tracking the former Italian under-21 star for some
time, but Osvaldo becomes the second transfer window target the Hammers have
missed out on following Giampaolo Pazzini's move from Fiorentina to
Sampdoria last week.

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Quashie set for Wolves switch
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer

Nigel Quashie looks set to complete a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for
the rest of the season. The Championship title chasers have announced this
lunchtime that Quashie, who has just returned to West Ham following three
months on loan with Wolves' bitter rivals Birmingham is poised to complete a
loan move to Molineux. In a brief statement released on their website this
lunchtime, Wanderers - who only last week took winger Kyel Reid on loan from
the Hammers - said: "Nigel is at the Compton training ground today with a
view to completing a deal that will see him become the second loan arrival
from Upton Park in the space of a week."
Lee Bowyer replaced Quashie at St Andrews last week when joining City on
loan for the rest of the season, marking his debut at the weekend with a
last minute goal.

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Eggy defends transfer policy
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 22nd January 2009
By: Staff Writer

Eggert Magnusson has hit back at critics of his transfer policy whilst he
was chairman of West Ham United. 61-year-old Magnusson was in charge of
players sales and transfers during his tenure, which lasted little more than
a year before he was fired by former friend and club owner Bjorgolfur
Gudmundson as a result of the club's spiralling wage bill.

However the popular ex-Chairman has spoken out in the wake of Craig
Bellamy's sale to Manchester City - a deal which is estimated to have made a
profit of some £5million (in transfer fee terms) - in defence of his policy
which, whilst proving successful in terms of preserving United's Premiership
status back in 2006/07, has led to some big name departures this season as
the Hammers attempt to bring the wage bill back under control.

'I am very proud of my time at West Ham," he told Talk. "We were in a
situation where we were bottom of the League and needed players in January.
You only have to look at the prices Manchester City are paying now to see
how difficult that is. "We paid for quality players but they were the right
ones and, like Bellamy, will attract big fees. I believe my last signing -
Julien Faubert - will be another one."

Followign Bellamy's departure West Ham have now parted company with ten
first team squad players since Magnusson was fired by Gudmundsson, receiving
over £32million in transfer fees whilst spending just £5million (on one
player, Valon Behrami) during that 13 month period.

Exodus - Magnusson's legacy

Sold: John Paintsil (Fulham, £1m); Bobby Zamora (Fulham, £5.3m); Anton
Ferdinand (Sunderland, £8m); George McCartney (Sunderland, £6m); Matthew
Etherington (Stoke, £3m); Craig Bellamy (Man City £14m).

Released: Freddie Ljungberg; Richard Wright; Henri Camara; Nobby Solano.

Currently on loan: Jimmy Walker (Colchester Utd); Kyel Reid (Wolves); Lee
Bowyer (Birmingham); Nigel Quashie (Wolves); Joe Widdowson (Grimsby Town).

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Prem quartet join Watson chase
West Ham, Fulham, Wigan and Blackburn rival Boro
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN

Skysports.com understands a quartet of Premier League clubs are planning to
hijack Middlesbrough's move for Crystal Palace's Ben Watson.
Middlesbrough finally agreed a fee with Palace for Watson on Wednesday after
weeks of talks between the two clubs. Palace are resigned to losing Watson
with the player's current deal set to expire in the summer and the
midfielder rejecting all overtures to sign a new contract. News of Boro's
bid being accepted has triggered interest from West Ham, Fulham, Blackburn
and Wigan. The four clubs are all thought to have made offers for Watson as
they look to win the race for the highly-rated 23-year-old. Watson is
expected to listen to what is available from the five clubs before deciding
where he will go.

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Wolves close on Quashie deal
Midfielder to join on loan for rest of season
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN

Wolves are close to completing a deal to sign West Ham United midfielder
Nigel Quashie on loan for the rest of the season. Quashie is at the
Championship leaders' training ground to finalise his move just days after
his spell at Birmingham City finished. The 30-year-old had spent three
months on loan at Birmingham and made 11 apppearances - two of which were
against Wolves. His last game for Blues was in the FA Cup defeat by their
local rivals, which means he will not be able to make his debut in
Saturday's fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough. The Scotland
international's impending switch to Molineux will end manager Mick
McCarthy's quest to add a central midfielder to his squad. McCarthy had also
been chasing Bristol City's Marvin Elliott and QPR's Mikele Leigertwood, but
has now agreed a deal for Quashie, who had been linked with Newcastle
United. Quashie will become the second West Ham player to join Wolves in the
transfer window after winger Kyel Reid was signed on loan last week

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Zola - Bellamy wanted to go
Hammers boss refutes strike talk
Last updated: 22nd January 2009
SSN

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has denied reports that Craig Bellamy went
on strike and insists they always wanted to keep the striker. Wales
international Bellamy completed his move to Manchester City from Upton Park
earlier this week, putting pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal.
There had been suggestions that the former Liverpool forward had withheld
his services as he looked to engineer a move to Eastlands.
But Hammers boss Zola is adamant that is not the case, and has stated
Bellamy's absence from training in his final days in East London was down to
injury. He told Sky Sports News: "We wanted to keep Bellamy, we tried
everything to keep him. He decided he wanted a new experience - simple as
that. "We couldn't hold a player who was so determined to leave."
When asked directly about the strike claims, he replied: "No he didn't go on
strike. "He didn't train one day because he had a problem in his calf and
the day after was not a compulsory day, so he didn't train again. "I don't
want to talk about strikes or anything like that. Craig Bellamy has decided
to go and that's it, end of story."
There have also been suggestions from the Bellamy camp that he wanted to
stay with West Ham, and it was the club's decision to allow him to leave.
But Zola was quick to refute those claims and has reiterated that they will
not part company with any player who is committed to the club.
He said: "I don't think so, I don't think that is the case (that Bellamy
wanted to stay). "The fans have to be confident when I say that somebody
wants to stay here, we don't want to sell players that are important for the
team unless they want to go."

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EXCLUSIVE: Hammers stunned as Cardiff slap £8m price tag on Wales midfielder
Ledley
by JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 2:11 PM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail

West Ham have made an approach for Cardiff winger Joe Ledley but been
stunned by an £8million asking price. Eager to increase his side's
firepower, after selling Craig Bellamy to Manchester City, West Ham manager
Gianfranco Zola has trained his sights on the free-scoring Wales midfielder
and been given the go-ahead to bid £5million for him. It is understood there
has been contact between the clubs but that Cardiff have made it clear it
will take a bigger offer to prise Ledley away. Ledley only turned 22 on
Wednesday but has already attracted strong interest from several Barclays
Premier League clubs after finishing as Cardiff's joint-top scorer with 11
goals last season and bagging an FA Cup semi-final winner against Barnsley
along the way.
Stoke had a £6million bid rejected at the start of the season, while Everton
are believed to have enquired about him twice and Arsenal, Tottenham and
Championship leaders Wolves have all tracked his progress. With Cardiff
holding out for their valuation, after seeing prices soar since Manchester
City began flexing their financial muscle, the ball is back in West Ham's
court. They are reluctant to go above £5million but may try and meet the
Championship side halfway with a renewed offer of between £6million and
£7million. Ledley is already an established Wales international, scoring
twice in 24 appearances since making his debut in a World Cup qualifier
against Poland just over three years ago, and can play in central midfield
as well as on the wing.

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Zola reassures fans fearful of West Ham departures
Italian promises no sales unless players determined to leave
Brescia midfielder Nsereko thought to be in Hammers' sights
Mikey Stafford guardian.co.uk, Thursday 22 January 2009 13.24 GMT Article
history

Gianfranco Zola today reassured West Ham United fans that no players will be
sold by the financially troubled London club unless they are determined to
leave. The Hammers manager was speaking after a week in which French
midfielder Julien Faubert agitated for a move to Lyon in the wake of Craig
Bellamy's transfer to Manchester City.

Zola denied that Bellamy had gone on strike last weekend to expedite his
transfer to Eastlands. "We wanted to keep Bellamy and we did everything we
could to keep him," the Italian said. "He decided that he wanted a new
experience, simple as that. We couldn't hold a player who was so determined
to leave. He didn't go on strike. He just didn't train one day because he
had a problem in his calf and the day after was not a compulsory day, so he
didn't train as well.

"But the fans, they have to be comfortable when I say if somebody wants to
stay we don't want to sell players who are important for the team, unless
they want to go because they have their reasons."

Zola refused to name possible replacements for the Wales striker, although
the agent of Savio Nsereko, Brescia's German attacking midfielder, said West
Ham had made inquiries.

The West Ham manager was encouraged by his side's 3-1 win over Fulham at the
weekend, in which Bellamy's replacement, David di Michele, scored the first
goal: "We will see what needs to improve and to replace Craig. Right now
what Di Michele did the other day was fantastic and I think he deserves my
trust and to insist on keep playing him."

The Italian was mute on any possible bid for Crystal Palace's midfielder Ben
Watson, but did not rule out strengthening his squad before the transfer
window closes. "It is still a long season and we want to build up something
that can last for as long as possible, so we might consider strengthening
the team, but right now I don't want to talk about it."

Nigel Quashie looks set to join fellow Hammer Kyel Reid on loan at
Wolverhampton Wanderers for the rest of the season. The 30-year-old
midfielder had been on loan at Birmingham City, but was meeting the Wolves
manager, Mick McCarthy, today after Alex McLeish decided not to extend
Quashie's loan spell at St Andrew's.

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West Ham are in for rough ride, says Hartlepool manager
Hartlepool United caretaker manager Chris Turner will urge his players and
the club's supporters to "give them hell" when West Ham United head to
Victoria Park on Saturday.
Telegraph
By Rob Stewart
Last Updated: 2:02PM GMT 22 Jan 2009

The former Manchester United goalkeeper wants his League One side to make
life as uncomfortable as possible for Gianfranco Zola's Premier League team
when they visit the North East for their FA Cup fourth-round tie. And his
hopes of an upset have been bolstered by the way his team dumped Stoke out
of the competition in the previous round as well as eliminating West
Bromwich Albion from the Carling Cup last September.
"They will have seen enough to know that they will be in for a rough ride
even though they have fantastic players," Turner told Telegraph Sport.
"It will be a pleasure to have them here at Victoria Park but for the 90
minutes we want to give them hell. "West Ham will have taken notice of the
fact we beat West Brom who bare a very good football side and we beat Stoke
who are a strong, powerful unit. "We have the opportunity to be mega
giant-killers this year in the greatest knockout competition in the world
and we've got every chance of securing a little niche in football folklore."
The FA Cup's rich tradition for serving up shock results has convinced
Turner, the club's director of sport, that the League One side can overcome
the odds. The former Sheffield Wednesday manager added: "I'm not daft and I
realise that because they have a fantastic array of talent but you know that
if they come here in the right frame of mind which I'm sure they will do and
they play to their strengths they will make life very difficult for us. "But
it's a great opportunity for the players to go head to head with some of the
best footballers in the business and it will be fascinating for the fans to
watch. I know it's a cliché but in football anything is possible. "It's 11
versus 11 and it's what happens on the day. Obviously we need a little bit
of luck or West Ham to be off-key. I will say to our players we can win this
game. "There have been FA Cup upsets throughout the course of the
competition's history. That's because when it's your day, it's your day. I
know my team will give 100 per cent effort and commitment and if that's
enough to beat them on the day then so be it."
Turner is short on good FA Cup memories so this is a good way of putting
that right. "My favourite memory is the day Manchester United beat City 1-0
in the third round at Maine Road thanks to a Norman Whiteside goal," he
said. "The League Cup was my thing. I got to the final with Sunderland
against Norwich where we lost to an own-goal and I beat Manchester United
1-0 with a John Sheridan goal when I was at Sheffield Wednesday in 1991. "So
maybe I'm due a change of luck this weekend."

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Matt to keep Hammers on the up
Hartlepoolmail.co.uk
Hartlepool Utd v West Ham Utd
Published Date: 22 January 2009

MATTHEW Upson is determined to continue West Ham United's purple patch on
Saturday. The England central defender has been one of the Hammers' shining
lights this season, despite being one a number of first-team regulars to be
linked with a move away from Gianfranco Zola's cash-strapped outfit. The
rumour mill has seemingly not affected Zola's side who have taken 10 points
from their last four Premier League fixtures. Upson, 29, insists the Hammers
need to remain in the winning habit and doesn't want to end their good form
by being a victim of a cup upset to Hartlepool United on Saturday. "It will
be a tough game and they are going to throw everything at us," said Upson,
who has made 13 appearances for his country. "We've just got keep the focus
on winning. It's a nice habit and something you don't want to break. "Every
game you go into, whether it's Hartlepool away or Arsenal away, you've got
to have the same mentality and the same winning attitude and take it from
there."
The Hammers players are under no illusions about the test Pools will pose in
front of an intimidating home crowd on Saturday lunchtime. Promising
midfielder Jack Collison realises Chris Turner's side will be buoyed by
their third round victory over Stoke City and their comfortable win over
Northampton Town in their last league outing. But he hopes the Hammers'
quality will prove telling and they can advance into the last 16 of the
competition. Collison said: "We are full of confidence and we really want to
have a good run in the FA Cup. "We know it is going to be a tough game.
"They beat Stoke in the last round and they had a win on the weekend, I saw
that, so we know it is going to be tough, especially at their place."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham in West Ham talks for Davenport
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is in talks for West Ham United defender
Calum Davenport. McLeish is hopeful of signing West Ham defender Davenport
on loan with a view to a permanent £3 million switch at the end of the
season, says the Daily Star.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham sound out Bochum for Yahia
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com

Bochum centre-half Antar Yahia has attracted an approach from West Ham
United. The Daily Mail says Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has made contact
with Bochum about Yahia's availability this week.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff winger Ledley happy with West Ham, Stoke interest
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com

Cardiff City winger Joe Ledley has welcomed interest from West Ham and Stoke
City. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola is apparently poised to make a £5m bid
for the Welsh international midfielder. But Ledley, who has also been linked
to Premier League new boys Stoke City, insists "nothing is happening." The
22-year-old told BBC Sport: "It is great to be linked to a Premier League
club and if I continue playing well, then who knows what might happen?"

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Truth Undistorted
Just Like My Dreasm

German philosopher Hans Margolius once wrote that only in quiet waters do
things mirror themselves undistorted. So it is that on a sedate news day
during the transfer window, one's mind sets to wonder if today's stories
linking the club with a bargain buy from the Championship, and an unheralded
young defender from Greek abstrusity, might actually more accurately reflect
the club's intentions and ambitions for the immediate future. Is it too much
of a stretch to believe that for all the talk of lavish indulgence on exotic
transfer fruit... Osvaldo, Nsereko, Saviola, Cavenaghi, Balotelli, Pazzini,
Cavani, Acquafresca et al... the tastes of the club come the end of the
month might turn out to have been nauseatingly prosaic.

So, Fulham and West Ham want to hijack Middlesbrough's move for Ben Watson,
according to this mornong's Mail. The versatile Crystal Palace midfielder
had been due to seal a switch to Teesside on Thursday after Boro's £2million
offer was accepted by the Championship club, but both London sides have now
reportedly matched that bid. Watson, 23, had gone to the north-east for a
medical and talks over personal terms last night, but is believed to have a
preference for staying in the capital. Wise boy.

Palace boss Neil Warnock, however, has moved quickly to scupper the
speculation. "Middlesbrough have got the opportunity to speak to him first
and I'm not sure if he's going to speak to anybody else," he revealed. "Once
we agreed a fee other clubs quite rightly can match the fee and talk to him.
We've had a couple of Premier League clubs, but it's not West Ham or Fulham.
I'm pleased for Ben, the club and Simon Jordan because we had such a
derogatory offer from QPR. We've got a realistic valuation now - £2million
is realistic for someone of Ben's quality."

Meanwhile, today's Mirror claims West Ham have taken a shine to defender
Bryce Moon at Panathinaikos. The South African, 22 and rated at £500,000,
has caught the eye of technical director Gianluca Nani - and the fullback
last night admitted the two clubs have made contact. Moon said: "I know
about the interest of West Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands.
My agent is working on it." Also linked is Bochum's centre-half Antar Yahia,
as Gianfranco Zola looks to strengthen his resources in defence.

Finally, the Daily Star believe Birmingham boss Alex McLeish remains hopeful
of signing West Ham defender Calum Davenport on loan with a view to a
permanent £3m switch at the end of the season. Also, Wolves are apparently
set to take Nigel Quashie on loan until the end of the season. The player is
at the Compton training ground today with a view to completing a deal that
will see him become the second loan arrival from Upton Park in the space of
a week.

Posted by Trilby at 09:32

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former Hammers chairman Magnusson not such a bad egg
By Raoul Simons Last updated at 11:51 AM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail

Is it time to take another look at the reputation of Eggert Magnusson? The
former West Ham chairman was ridiculed for paying over the odds during a
2007 transfer spending spree and earlier this month ex-manager Alan Pardew
attacked the Icelander for being "naive" and wanting to "buy the world".

However, one of Magnusson's key signings, Craig Bellamy, has just been sold
to Manchester City for a £6.5million profit while other recruits such as
Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson and Scott Parker are mainstays of Gianfranco
Zola's resurgent side.

Former biscuit tycoon Magnusson, who has seen his personal fortune suffer in
Iceland's financial meltdown, told Talk: 'I am very proud of my time at West
Ham. We were in a situation where we were bottom of the League and needed
players in January. You only have to look at the prices Manchester City are
paying now to see how difficult that is. We paid for quality players but
they were the right ones and, like Bellamy, will attract big fees. I believe
my last signing - Julien Faubert - will be another one.'

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wolves Move For Quashie
Posted on: Thu 22 Jan 2009
Wolves.co.uk

Wolves are set to sign experienced West Ham and Scotland midfielder Nigel
Quashie on loan until the end of the season. Nigel is at the Compton
training ground today with a view to completing a deal that will see him
become the second loan arrival from Upton Park in the space of a week.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Warnock denies Fulham and West Ham interest in Watson
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Southlondon-today.co.uk
By Richard Cawley

CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock has dismissed reports that Fulham and West
Ham have made late bids to hijack Ben Watson's move to Middlesbrough. The
23-year-old midfielder is currently on Teesside discussing personal terms
with the Premier League outfit, and there had been rumours that the two
London clubs had also made their moves. Warnock said: "Middlesbrough have
got the opportunity to speak to him first and I'm not sure if he's going to
speak to anybody else. Once we agreed a fee other clubs quite rightly can
match the fee and talk to him. "We've had a couple of Premier League clubs,
but it's not West Ham or Fulham. "I'm pleased for Ben, the club and Simon
Jordan because we had such a derogatory offer from QPR. We've got a
realistic valuation now - £2million is realistic for someone of Ben's
quality."
Warnock has revealed that he will not be able to use any of the Watson fee
to make permanent additions to his squad, but instead will delve into the
loan market to try to bring in a striker. "I've known the situation all
along and we've got to do the best we can. I look at my old club [Sheffield
United] spending money left, right and centre and we're not in that bracket.
"We have to be a little bit fortunate with injuries and hope the young lads
continue to develop. Hopefully we can bring in one striker who will give us
a little boost for the last 18 or 19 games."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Birmingham City confident of signing Premier League star
Jan 22 2009
SundayMercury.net

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is hopeful of signing West Ham defender Calum
Davenport on loan with a view to a permanent £3m switch at the end of the
season says the Daily Star.
Trash Talk says: This one has been in the offing for a while now, will be
good for Blues to get another solid defender in the side.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Pools' spying mission
9:41am Thursday 22nd January 2009
thenorthernecho.co.uk
By Nick Loughlin »

RITCHIE Humphreys last week led a Hartlepool United delegation on a scouting
mission – but wonders how much West Ham will know about their opponents on
Saturday. When Pools' game at Oldham was postponed on January 10, Humphreys,
Micky Nelson and Ben Clark headed to St James' Park to watch the Hammers'
2-2 draw with Newcastle United. While goalscorer Craig Bellamy has since
departed for Man City, Pools know what they are up against in the fourth
round of the FA Cup on Saturday. The trophy was at Victoria Park yesterday,
with Humphreys getting his hands on it last night when a specially
commissioned painting of the player of the century was unveiled. "West Ham
are a top side and last week a few of us went up to Newcastle to watch them
and you could see the talent on show,'' he admitted. They had pace, they
pass the ball very well. I don't think Scott Parker lost the ball once, he
was fantastic.
Looking at them from the stands, it looked like a diamond shape with Bellamy
running in behind Carlton Cole – you can name all the players and they will
present a very tough game for us.'' He added: "I imagine Gianfranco Zola
doesn't know too much about Hartlepool, but he will come Saturday. As a
player he was thorough, very professional and a lot of English players took
a lot from how he worked and trained as a player.
"A lot of people have said how he changed English football when he came here
and he set the place alight. No doubt he will be the same as a manager. "I
came up against him once as a player – I was a lone striker at the Bridge up
against Guillt and Leboeuf – but that was in the days when I played up
front.'' Pools will step up their preparations on the training ground this
morning, with Joel Porter and Sam Collins likely to join their teammates.
The pair have been struggling with injury, but should be in contention for
Saturday.
Tickets are on sale from Victoria Park and Humphreys is hoping for a full
house in front of the ITV cameras. "West Ham is a great occasion to look
forward to, but getting a result on Friday night (2-0 v Northampton) meant
we could enjoy the weekend off,'' he said. "There will be a lot of eyes on
the town and the club in the build up, it will be a bit like when we were
going to Cardiff in 2005. "Now we have a Premier League team at home and we
hope it's going to be a sell-out and a big occasion. You cannot let it pass
you by, you have to soak it up and be really focused come Saturday when we
start."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cole concentrating on UEFA Cup spot
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 22 January 2009 - 9:22 AM

Carlton Cole insists he will not allow speculation over a possible England
call-up to stop him from firing West Ham into Europe. The striker grabbed
his fifth goal in five games in front of England boss Fabio Capello in the
win over Fulham last weekend to take his tally for the season to nine.But
Cole, who was recently denied the opportunity to represent Nigeria after
playing for the England Under-21s, says he is only concentrating on helping
the Hammers continue their quest for UEFA Cup football. "I'm not even
thinking about England," said the 25-year-old forward. "In the past I've not
done so well but things are coming together and I'm just trying to crack on.
"I've just got to keep concentrating on trying to do the job well for West
Ham and getting us up the league. "Whatever comes with that will come. I've
got my own personal target. "It's coming good but it's not going to go to my
head. I want more."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Former West Ham star signs for Wivenhoe
MIKE BACON
Greenun24.co.uk
Last updated: 21/01/2009 16:54:00

WIVENHOE Town have signed former West Ham, Celtic and Ipswich winger Stuart
Slater. Slater, who will be 40 in March, is linking up with former team-mate
Julian Dicks, now manager at Broad Lane, and will be in the Wivenhoe squad
for Saturday's home clash with Haverhill Rovers.
With professional moves totalling more than £2m, he is sure to be a fine
addition to the Essex team's squad. "Stuart is still a quality footballer
and I know he will do well for us at this level," Dicks said. "I used to
look after him at West Ham and he still looks fit and very capable. Apart
from anything else it will give the rest of the team a lift."
Wivenhoe haven't won a league game in eight now, but Dicks is not despondent
about the way the team is progressing. "When I came over from Spain to see
them lose 4-0 to Needham, things looked a bit sort of difficult and there
was little enthusiasm. "But I've kept at them, telling them I expect nothing
less than 110% and things have improved. "At Wisbech last week, it was all
going well after 70 minutes, but we lost a bit of concentration. But it will
come if the players keep giving their all."
Slater is sure to be a crowd-puller to Broad Lane on Saturday, the
Sudbury-born player having played more than 250 times for Celtic, West Ham
and Ipswich. He last played in 2004 for Weston-super-Mare and finished his
final season there by scoring in a 1-1 draw at Bishop's Stortford.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fulham And West Ham Fight Middlesbrough For Ben Watson
Goal.com

Fulham and West Ham United have entered the race for the signature of
Championship club Crystal Palace's midfield maestro Ben Watson. It was
reported that Palace had accepted an offer in the region of £2 million from
Middlesbrough for the 23-year-old just yesterday and that the Premier League
club could complete the deal today. However, according to British tabloid
newspaper the Daily Mail, the Cottagers and the Hammers have both matched
Boro's offer and hope that the chance to remain in London will lure the
England under-21 international to their club. It is thought that Watson has
already been to Teesside to under-go a medical and to begin contract
negotiations with Gareth Southgate's side, however, he may opt for Fulham or
West Ham as he would prefer to stay in the capital.

Ricky Brooks, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham keen on South African defender Bryce Moon
The Mirror
By Football Spy 22/01/2009

West Ham have taken a shine to defender Bryce Moon at Panathinaikos. The
South African, 22 and rated at £500,000, has caught the eye of technical
director Gianluca Nani - and the fullback last night admitted the two clubs
have made contact. Moon said: "I know about the interest of West Ham but I
have nothing official yet in my hands. My agent is working on it."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

http://vyperz.blogspot.com

Please donate to my run for charity
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Daily WHUFC News - 22nd January 2009

Noble hopes for cup run
Hammers midfielder looking forward to Hartlepool tie
Last updated: 21st January 2009
SSN

Mark Noble feels it is important for West Ham United's players and fans to
go on an FA Cup run this season. The Hammers overcame Barnsley in the third
round earlier this month and travel to Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Hartlepool have already knocked out Stoke City and Noble is expecting a
stiff test in the fourth round against the League One side. However, the
Hammers midfielder is hoping the club can make progress in the FA Cup after
losing in the final to Liverpool three years ago. "It is going to be a bit
different for us," Noble told the club's official website. "It should be a
great cup tie and they are going to be up for it with a Premier League team
going there in the cup. "It is important for the club and the players to
get that incentive to go on and get that run. It's good for the fans as well
as they love the cup. "We've just got to keep cracking on and playing well
and I think we can just crack on now this year."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moon claims Hammers interest
Defender waits on possible Upton Park switch
By Fotis Voinikas Last updated: 21st January 2009
SSN

Panathinaikos defender Bryce Moon claims West Ham are interested in
acquiring his services. As revealed by skysports.com earlier this month,
West Ham are planning a move for the South Africa international to bolster
their squad. The 22-year-old has caught the eye of West Ham's scouting staff
and they are thought to be weighing up a bid for the full-back before the
close of the transfer window. Moon is now waiting to see if West Ham follow
up their interest by making a firm move for his signature. "I know about the
interest of West Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands," Moon told
the Greek media. "My agent Mike Makaab is working on it and I will hear from
him soon. "I am a Panthinaikos player now. I don't know what is going to
happen in the near future, but now I am focused on Panthinaikos."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
London calling: West Ham and Fulham match Boro bid for Palace midfielder
Watson
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 2:20 AM on 22nd January 2009
Daily Mail

Fulham and West Ham want to hijack a move by Middlesbrough for Ben Watson.
The Crystal Palace midfielder had been due to seal a switch to Teesside on
Thursday after Boro's £2million offer was accepted by the Championship club,
but both London sides have now matched that bid.
Watson, 23, had gone to the north-east for a medical and talks over personal
terms last night, but is believed to have a preference for staying in the
capital. Palace hope to use any transfer fee to fund a bid for Cardiff
defender Darren Purse. Meanwhile, West Ham have asked about Panathinaikos
right back Bryce Moon and Bochum's centre half Antar Yahia as manager
Gianfranco Zola looks to strengthen his resources in defence. Brescia winger
Savio Nsereko's agent also claims the Hammers are interested in clinching a
deal for the 19-year-old. Midfielder Julien Faubert has confirmed he wants
to leave Upton Park and return to France with Lyon.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham & Portsmouth To Revive Appiah Interest
Ghana Web

Tottenham Hotspur seem to have backed away from trying to sign free agent
Stephen Appiah, after completing the signing of Honduran International
Wilson Palacios from Wigan Athletic, subject to the midfielder being granted
a work permit. The £14million arrival at White Hart Lane of Palacios is
understood to have led Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to reconsider taking a
gamble on Ghanaian International Appiah, with doubts still remaining about
the former Juventus players fitness, despite Appiah reportedly passing a
fitness test at the Premier League club.
28-year-old Appiah was released by Turkish club, Fenerbahce last summer
after a dispute over the treatment he received for his long-term knee
injury. Appiah played for Tottenham in an arranged match against Grays
Athletic last week, but did not quite last the full 9o minutes due to cramp.
Appiah is understood to be unhappy that a contract offer has not been
forthcoming from Spurs and is said to be looking at other options, despite
still training at the Premiership club, with Redknapp's former clubs
Portsmouth and West Ham United both linked with the midfielder last summer.
Now with Palacios at Tottenham, the chances of Appiah being offered a deal
look slimmer, with Didier Zokora, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric and Tom
Huddlestone already vying for central midfield slots at Spurs. Of the clubs
previously linked with Appiah, Pompey could reignite their interest in the
Ghanaian after their attempt to bring in Patrick Vieira on loan from Inter
Milan was unsuccessful. While, the free agent status of Appiah could appeal
to the Hammers, with it well documented that finances are tight at Upton
Park.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ledley sets sights on Arsenal despite West Ham interest
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 21 January 2009 - 20:34

Cardiff City's Joe Ledley has reacted with pride at speculation linking him
with West Ham but claimed that for the moment his focus is on helping the
Welsh side to victory over Arsenal in Sunday's FA Cup fixture. Speaking to
the BBC, the 22-year-old Wales international made clear that he was pleased
that his progress was being monitored but pledged to improve further. "It is
great to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing well,
then who knows what might happen? "Nothing has happened," he said. "I must
continue to do what I've been doing on the pitch. I've got to put all of
the speculation to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof that I
must be doing something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's down to
the club so I will just concentrate on playing well and helping the boys
against Arsenal."
It was widely reported that Stoke City lodged a £6m bid for the versatile
Ledley during the summer, but the move was turned down by Cardiff.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Moon wants to be star in the East End
Sport.co.uk
Author: Andrew Allen
Posted on: 21 January 2009 - 20:02

Panathinaikos full-back Bryce Moon has claimed that West Ham are interested
in acquiring his services although he stresses he is still focused on
fulfilling his defensive duties for the Greek giants. The 22-year-old South
African international told local media: "I know about the interest of West
Ham but I have nothing official yet in my hands. "My agent Mike Makaab is
working on it and I will hear from him soon. I am a Panthinaikos player now.
I don't know what is going to happen in the near future, but now I am
focused on Panthinaikos."
Gianfranco Zola is thought to be on the look out for new squad members at
Upton Park after being given the green light by club directors to make use
of the £14m received from the sale of Craig Bellamy.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Cardiff City's Joe Ledley 'Flattered' By West Ham Link
Goal.com

The highly-rated Welshman is obviously pleased to be linked with a Premier
League outfit, but is concentrating on facing Arsenal in the FA Cup this
weekend before getting carried away. West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola
is readying himself to make a £5 million bid for Cardiff City's highly-rated
Welsh international Joe Ledley. The midfielder, an established Welsh
international with 24 caps to his name who can operate in central midfield
or wide on the left, was the subject of reported £6 million bid from Premier
League new boys Stoke City in the summer. The Bluebirds rejected that bid
and have also apparently turned down approaches from Everton and
Championship rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers for the player's services. The
player has 18 months left to run on his current Cardiff contract, and is
regarded as one of the country's most promising players outside the Premier
League. Ledley himself, though, claims that nothing is happening at the
moment, though, obviously, the link with a club like West Ham excites him.
"It is great to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing
well, then who knows what might happen?" he told BBC Sport earlier, instead
insisting that the weekend's cup tie with Arsenal was the centre of his
focus currently. "Nothing has happened," he said. "I must continue to do
what I've been doing on the pitch. "I've got to put all of the speculation
to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof that I must be doing
something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's down to the club so I
will just concentrate on playing well and helping the boys against Arsenal."


Zack Wilson, Goal.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
FA Cup: Hartlepool aim to hang the Hammers
SquareFootball.net

Hartlepool United produced one of the shocks of the third round when they
put out Premiership strugglers Stoke City at Victoria Park. On Saturday they
aim to go one better by claiming the scalp of in-form West Ham United and
booking their place in the fifth round of the competition for the first time
in their history.

Chris Turner's men have only won twice in League One since the start of
November, but the FA Cup has brought out the best in them. Brighton,
Fleetwood Town and Stoke City have all suffered at the hands of the Monkey
Hangers and Neil Appleyard, chairman of the Hartlepool United Disabled
Supporters Association, believes that West Ham could be their next victims.

"If Hartlepool play as well as they did against Stoke we shall give West Ham
something to think about. With playing at home I think we shall certainly be
ready for the game and with a very noisy crowd we should do very well. Our
home record is very good so we certainly have a chance against anyone."

Saturday will be a historic day for Hartlepool and West Ham United as it
marks the first competitive meeting between the two sides and the game has
attracted a lot of interest. Victoria Park is a complete sell-out and the
game will be shown live to the nation on terrestrial television. Most of the
neutrals watching will be cheering on the underdog, as is the British way,
but Hartlepool go into the game with absolutely nothing to lose. They have
already proved what they are capable of in these one-off games and it will
be a huge test of character for Gianfranco Zola's Hammers.

Stoke City have given some of the Premiership's best sides problems this
season, but Hartlepool brushed them aside thanks to goals from defender
Mickey Nelson and striker David Foley and it was Foley's rasping 30-yard
rasping strike which stole the headlines. Neil, 50, whose favourite
Hartlepool player of all time is Billy Ayre, insists that the 21-year-old
has plenty more efforts like that in his locker.

"David tends to score spectacular goals in cup competitions and his one
against Stoke was one of his best. He is certainly much better when he is
played in his natural position of centre forward, but due to our injury
problems he has played more on the wing. The fans are certainly warming to
him when he produces strikes like that."

However, Foley isn't the only player to watch for. Antony Sweeney is a
creative midfielder with seven assists and two goals to his name and Ritchie
Humphreys is an experienced pro. But Neil believes the man who may shine
against the Hammers will be their man from down under.

"The person who could do very well against West Ham would be Joel Porter,
our Australian forward. He is very quick and is able to bring others into
the game with his intelligent link up play."

West Ham United are 47 league places ahead of their opponents and despite
all the off-the-field wrangling and transfer rumours surrounding the club,
under Zola, the Hammers have been playing entertaining football. They have
lost just one of their last six league and cup fixtures, scoring 14 times in
the process, and Neil is looking forward to an entertaining, attacking game
of football.

"I can see the game being very open. Hartlepool United are not a kick and
rush team, we try to play football in a measured passing game and of course
West Ham play in a similar way.

"I'm particularly keen to see Robert Green at Victoria Park as he is a top
class goalkeeper and Matthew Upson, who is an England player. Not forgetting
that it will be a return to the north east for Scott Parker and Kieron
Dyer."

Despite Portsmouth upsetting the applecart last year by winning the FA Cup
and the numerous giant killings, the competition has appeared to have lost
some of its magic since the creation of the Champions League. However, Neil
insists that the cup is still the world's number one competition in his
eyes.

"It means everything to be in the situation we are in having beaten one
Premiership club and to be playing another one at home is the pinnacle of
being a lower league supporter can hope for. (apart from promotion that is)"

Hartlepool's best runs recently in the FA Cup came in 1978 and 1993 when
they beat Crystal Palace on both occasions to reach the fourth round of the
competition and Neil remembers them like they were yesterday.

"The first one we were 1-0 down and then two superb strikes and we were 2-1
up. At the time Palace were certainly going places with Terry Venebles as
their manager so it was a fabulous win for us. Our next game in the cup was
Ipswich and that season they won the cup.

"Our game in 1993 was a cagey affair and it looked like it was heading for a
replay. Nicky Southall was then brought down and the penalty was put away by
Andy Saville another great cup victory."

But how do they compare with the win against Stoke City?

"I think the win against Stoke was superb simply because of the sort of
football we played. In many ways we outplayed them and our passing game was
excellent."

West Ham United will be venturing into the unknown on Saturday so what sort
of reception will the Hammers expect at Victoria Park? Neil compares it to a
mini-St James' Park.

"Our fans are extremely passionate and vibrant and have been credited to be
as passionate on such occasions as the Newcastle fans at St James' Park.
This was said to me by a friend who is a regular at the Geordie home games
and he was so impressed with the atmosphere at Victoria Park. This should be
very exciting and noisy."

So after beating Stoke City and drawing another Premiership club at home,
can Hartlepool really defeat the three-time FA Cup winners and the 2006
finalists? Neil believes if they have the rub of the green it could just be
the greatest day in Hartlepool's FA Cup history.

"I am not too good at predictions but if we play as well as we did I think
we could scrape through 1-0."

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DICKS SIGNS FORMER HAMMERS` TEAM-MATE
21/01/2009
Non League Daily

Ridgeons League Premier Division strugglers Wivenhoe Town are turning to
experience in a bid to help themselves out of their current poor run of form
with the signing of former West Ham United star Stuart Slater. The
39-year-old Suffolk-born winger is linking up with ex-Hammers friend and new
Wivenhoe manager Julian Dicks and has agreed to play a couple of games each
month as the Dragons look to end their run of eleven consecutive defeats.
Slater (pictured) is no stranger to non-League football as, after finishing
his professional career with Watford in 1999 he turned out for Forest Green
Rovers, Aberystwyth Town and Weston-super-Mare. His vast professional
experience includes 140 appearances for West Hame, two seasons at Celtic
(£1.5 million), three seasons at Ipswich Town (£800,000) and spells at
Leicester City and Watford and a spell in Australia with Carlton. He has
England international caps at under-21 and 'B' level. Slater, who was forced
to quit playing due to Achilles problems, is set to make his debut for
Wivenhoe against Haverhill Rovers on Saturday at Broad Lane.

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Ledley flattered by Premier link
BBC.co.uk

Cardiff City captain Joe Ledley admits he is "flattered" to be linked with
Premier League side West Ham. Hammers manager Gianfranco Zola is apparently
poised to make a £5m bid for the Welsh international midfielder. But
Ledley, who has also been linked to Premier League new boys Stoke City,
insists "nothing is happening." The 22-year-old told BBC Sport: "It is great
to be linked to a Premier League club and if I continue playing well, then
who knows what might happen?" Ledley, who has 18 months remaining on his
Cardiff contract, is one of the hottest properties outside the top-flight
and has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs. FA Cup finalists
Cardiff refused a £6m bid for Ledley from Stoke in the summer while Everton
and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also had offers turned down. Ledley has
already made more than 200 appearances for the Bluebirds and is a Wales
regular with 24 caps and Upton Park boss Zola is said to be the latest
admirer. But Ledley, a Ninian Park academy graduate, insists his focus is on
Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Arsenal. "Nothing has happened," he
said. "I must continue to do what I've been doing on the pitch. "I've got to
put all of the speculation to the back of my mind, it's flattering and proof
that I must be doing something right. "It is not down to me anyway, it's
down to the club so I will just concentrate on playing well and helping the
boys against Arsenal."

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Referee Announced For Pools/West Ham Game
Vital Football

The referee has been announced for the FA Cup tie between Hartlepool and
West Ham this weekend. The game will be officiated by Lee Mason, the man who
was in charge the last time Pools reached this stage of the cup. Back in
2005 Mason gave full back Jack Ross a red card and a penalty to opponents
Brentford as Pools crashed out at the fourth round stage . The last Pools
game he took charge of was the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Boxing Day
2007.

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View From The Opposition - Hartlepool United
Vinny - Wed Jan 21 2009
West Ham Online

Next up is Hartlepool United in the FA Cup 4th Round. This will be a
historic day for both clubs as neither have played each other in any
competition in their long histories. Hartlepool knocked out Stoke City in
the last round of the cup and beat West Brom in the League Cup earlier in
the season so beating Premiership teams is something they have become
familiar with this season.

Hopefully this should just be Part 1 of the View from Hartlepool.
These questions were answered very kindly by John Phillips of
www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk

Can you give us a recent potted history

After decades of pottering around the lower reaches of the basement
division, the last ten years have been the most eventful in the history of
the club. Since 1999 we have had a League One playoff final, four more
playoff campaigns and two automatic promotions. The one black mark was a
relegation in 2005/06, though we bounced straight back a year later breaking
many club records in the process.

How are you getting on this season

So so. We are scoring enough goals and winning enough home points to keep
ourselves midtable but our away form remains a worry, as does our defence.
As I write this we are in 12th position in League One. The cups have gone
well. Up until this season we had only ever eliminated one top flight club
in our history (Crystal Palace, FA Cup, 1993). This season we have added two
more, with Stoke's FA Cup campaign and West Brom's Carling Cup ambitions
both dying at Victoria Park.

Your hopes for the remainder of the season?

To get enough points on the board in the next two months to keep the
floating supporters interested. It's unlikely we have the strength in depth
to mount a serious playoff bid but we don't want to let sixth place
disappear over the horizon too early and we must avoid getting dragged in to
the battle at the bottom. Mediocrity is an uninspiring thing to wish for,
but it's maybe realistic.

You have recently changed manager. Is this something the supporters were
happy with?

On the whole, yes. The 2006/07 promotion season was tremendous, with a host
of club records being shattered. The 23 game unbeaten run (with 19 wins)
will live long in the memory of every Pools supporter. Danny Wilson will
always have my thanks for that, but his somewhat conservative nature has
counted against him. There has been an increasing feeling of stagnation and
apathy creeping in amongst the supporters over the last year or so. At our
level apathy is more dangerous than anger.

Best player?

Our two most gifted players are James Brown and Joel Porter. Sadly, a
cruciate rupture put an end to Brown's season last month so we're pinning a
lot of our hopes for the season on Porter's shoulders. It seems an open
secret that he is likely to return to Australia in the summer, so he's
looking to sign off in style.

Weakest player?

Try as he might, there is a feeling that David Foley simply lacks the
stature to get the best out of his ability. That said, he has already scored
against West Brom and Stoke this season so if he gets a chance on Saturday
he will be gunning for one of football's more unlikely hat tricks. Still
without a league goal, he's a killer in the cups. At the back, few
supporters have any faith in either of the goalkeepers.

What do you make of West Ham this season?

Haven't seen anything of them and, Saturday excepted, I don't intend to. The
resignation from the Football League by the 22 top flight clubs in 1992 was
a shabby betrayal of English league football. I have no time at all for the
Premier League, or for any of the short-sighted self-interested clubs that
brought it into being. They have earned their place in a footballing hell.
Sorry ;)

Any West Ham players which worry you?

Is Tony Cottee still playing? Seriously, see last question. But any player
with genuine pace will be likely to cause us problems.

Advice for travelling West Ham fans

There are a few pubs near the ground and away fans are welcome at all of
them, unless the police say otherwise. The Mill House and Corner Flag are
the closest and both can be found on the opposite side of the ground to the
away entrance - simply walk through the car park past the offices and club
shop and you're there. Alternatively there are a number of pubs and
restaurants on the marina, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the ground.

Prediction for the game?

West Brom and Stoke brought out the best in us but I've a feeling we'll fall
short of our third big cup win of the season. I'm sure the chairman would
love a replay, but I think West Ham will win on the day. 2-1

Many thanks again to John Phillips at inthemadcrowd.co.uk

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West Ham insist nothing serious over Dyer reserves substitution
22.01.09 | tribalfootball.com

West Ham United reserves boss Alex Dyer has played down concerns of a new
injury scare for Kieron Dyer. During defeat to Fulham this week, England
midfielder Dyer was withdrawn after 38 minutes as a precaution with
tightness in his calves. The 30-year-old has recently returned from 17
months out injured after suffering a broken leg in a Carling Cup tie at
Bristol Rovers in August 2007.

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